NIAID is seeking input from the scientific community, health professionals, patient advocates, and the general public about current and emerging priorities in basic vaccine discovery research that could provide clues about how to make an HIV vaccine that establishes and maintains a state of resistance to HIV infection and/or disease. Opinions from junior investigators and new faculty are particularly encouraged.

Please be advised that NIAID has published an RFI concurrent to this one for input on novel approaches to interrupt HIV transmission. [NOT-AI-08-049] Interested individuals are invited to respond to both RFIs.

Background

The mission of the Division of AIDS (DAIDS) at NIAID is to pursue an end to the HIV/AIDS epidemic by (1) increasing basic knowledge of the pathogenesis and transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), (2) supporting the development of therapies for HIV infection and its complications and co-infections, and (3) facilitating the development of vaccines and safe, effective prevention strategies. DAIDS accomplishes its mission through planning, implementing, managing, and evaluating research programs and portfolios that address these goals.

In an effort to stimulate scientific discussion and debate among HIV investigators participating in each of these research areas, and focusing on prevention efforts carried out through HIV vaccine trials, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases held a summit on March 25, 2008. The summit consisted of three interactive panel discussions focused on the following themes:

The optimal balance between vaccine discovery research and development studies designed to advance promising vaccine candidates into clinical trials

Optimization and utilization of non-human primate models to support vaccine research

Through this RFI, NIAID is following up on the vaccine summit by inviting the scientific community, health professionals, patient advocates, and the general public to respond to the following questions. The overall goal is to define research that will address the major scientific obstacles to more complete knowledge of HIV and contribute to the design of a safe and effective preventive vaccine.

1. In which areas of basic vaccine discovery research should resources and emphasis be focused to solve the key scientific obstacles in HIV vaccine research?
2. Which of these areas are best addressed through individual research projects and which through multi-disciplinary research teams?
3. How can multidisciplinary research best be fostered to enhance the chance of successful outcomes?
4. How can new investigators and new ideas from within and outside the HIV vaccine field best be attracted into these areas of research?

The information obtained from responses to this RFI will aid DAIDS, NIAID, in developing one or more future Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) for appropriate types of applications that address research areas identified through this inquiry.

This RFI shall not be construed as a solicitation for applications or as an obligation on the part of the government. The government will not pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Responders should be aware that the information provided will be analyzed and may be used to develop future funding opportunity announcements and/or appear in various reports. The government cannot guarantee the confidentiality of the information provided.